Putting print out of peril may require stopping the presses

The newspaper and consumer magazine industry is set for continued challenges in 2009, with developed country markets likely to be most affected.

The developing world market should grow along with increasing literacy, improving distribution infrastructure and rising incomes, but the spread of the economic downturn itno developing economies in 2009 could slow or reverse print’s growth even in these markets.

The challenged state of the print industry in developd world markets does not signal the demise of the sector. Rather, 2009 is likely to mark the emergency of a range of new business models, including shared backroom infrastructure and online-only delivery.